Category: Review (Page 226 of 295)

BOOK REVIEW – Beautiful Broken Rules (Broken #1) by Kimberly Lauren

May 27, 2015 / Jen / 1 Comment

Beautiful Broken Rules (Broken #1)
by Kimberly Lauren
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The most valuable lesson Emerson Moore ever learned was from her parents: Never get too attached to someone else. That’s why this hard-partying college student plays by her own code of bedroom conduct, refusing to stay with the same guy for too long. She gets all the pleasure of having a good time without the messiness of a relationship.. So what if frat house–hopping has earned her a certain reputation around campus? At least no one gets hurt this way—especially her.

When ridiculously gorgeous Jaxon Riley moves in next door, Emerson’s not sure how long her vow against emotional intimacy can last. Jaxon’s tattoo, muscles, and sexy voice make him tempting, but he also seems to really understand her…until his jealous ex-girlfriend and Emerson’s life-changing discovery about her parents get thrown into the mix. After everything she’s been through, can Emerson handle a real relationship? Or will breaking her rules just lead to a broken heart?

Review:

Hmm…you know that feeling you get when you reflect back over a book that you loved and you keep replaying all of your favorite scenes in your head because you aren’t ready to give up that world? Yeah, well, actually I am doing the opposite. You see, I had so much fun reading Beautiful Broken Rules YET there were two events that took place that bothered me. A lot. One seemed so out of character and in the other one, a truth was withheld to only cause drama, in my eyes. So now I’m struggling, because I cherished these characters. They were entertaining and I loved watching the dynamics of their group friendship play out. Listening to their banter and everyday life interactions was so much fun! But I can’t forget those two instances, and the more I look back on the them, the more I can’t lose that sour taste in my mouth. Ugh.

“Please stop running from me,” he whispered.
“Please stop trying to catch me,” I said, getting up to leave.

I’m surprised to say, I adored Emerson. She is a self-proclaimed slut and I was weary about whether I would like or connect with her. But it was so easy! She had such a fun voice to follow since she was witty and sarcastic. She kept a smile on my face more times than I could count. Just read the first chapter, oh my gosh, she was hilarious! And while yes, she definitely fulfilled her reputation of being the campus slut, she had rules in place so she’s not just one of “those” girls. She stays away from guys that her friends like and ones that are dating someone else. So her hearts in the right place, even when she’s sleeping around the campus. She has a reason for her actions, and it helps her keep guys at a distance. But then Jaxon swaggers into her life, things slowly start to change.

“I don’t need a protector, okay?” I breathed.
“I’m trying my fucking hardest here, Beautiful.”

Jaxon is the most dangerous of guys, because not only is cocky and sexy as hell, but he portrays this essence of sex appeal. And Emerson is in for a treat, because he’s going to be living right next door to her! Emerson lives with her bestfriend/step-sister Quinn, but their best friend Cole just moved in next door. And he’s having his best friends from home, Jaxon and his brother Jace, move in with him. Trouble and laughter is ensured! It was so easy to fall under Jaxon’s spell! He was funny, quick-witted and oh so sweet. He would remember the tinniest of things that she would say. The things that were truly important to Emerson, but she would never portray them that way. So when he would act out and help her, he easily wiggled a little bit further into her heart and mine. As if that wasn’t enough, he called her beautiful. It stood out to me every time he used that term, but then he had to go and ruin it at times by also calling her babe. Why would he do that? If felt so lackluster compared to beautiful. But all was quickly forgiven, because he was Jaxon and it was impossible not to love him!

So that’s why I really, really struggled with two events. Don’t worry, they won’t be spoiled since I won’t diverge details. In the first one, truths were hidden. I get that that can happen at times, but this felt contrived. Forced. And the words that were spoken out loud felt manipulated so that we and Emerson would think it was something else entirely. And that made me mad. Because the sole purpose of it was to cause conflict between them. There was no reason to play it that way. It upset me, but it was characters I adored, so I quickly forgave them and pushed it out of my head so I could move on. But then another scene happened in the latter half of the book where I felt as though a character’s words and actions were manipulated again. It just didn’t ring true. And again I felt as though it was forced for the sake of drama. And after two strikes I was done. I finished the rest of the book and while I did enjoy it, I definitely wasn’t as connected or as invested to the characters as I was before.

So now you can see why I’m so conflicted because on one end I love these characters. I loved watching all of their friendships and dynamics unfold. I started to truly care for them but then the story took two twists that I couldn’t believe. I felt as though the characters were manipulated and it definitely put my love for this book on pause. So sadly even though the story-line and characters were amazing, I won’t be finishing the two remaining books in this series.

*ARC kindly provided by Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review*

BOOK REVIEW: Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne

May 26, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In a novel that's perfect for fans of Abbi Glines and Jessica Sorensen, USA Today bestselling author Lauren Layne delivers a sexy take on the timeless question: Can a guy and a girl really be “just friends”?

When Parker Blanton meets Ben Olsen during her freshman year of college, the connection is immediate—and platonic. Six years later, they're still best friends, sharing an apartment in Portland's trendy Northwest District as they happily settle into adult life. But when Parker's boyfriend dumps her out of the blue, she starts to wonder about Ben's no-strings-attached approach to dating. The trouble is, even with Ben as her wingman, Parker can't seem to get the hang of casual sex—until she tries it with him.

The arrangement works perfectly . . . at first. The sex is mind-blowing, and their friendship remains as solid as ever, without any of the usual messy romantic entanglements. But when Parker's ex decides he wants her back, Ben is shocked by a fierce stab of possessiveness. And when Ben starts seeing a girl from work, Parker finds herself plagued by unfamiliar jealousy. With their friendship on the rocks for the first time, Parker and Ben face an alarming truth: Maybe they can't go back. And maybe, deep down, they never want to.

**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

We begin walking, and the tension seems to fade, and I think we’re back to normal. Back to where we should be.

But then…
Ben slowly reaches out a hand toward me, and I’m confused right up until the moment his fingers brush mine.
The gesture is tentative. Sweet. And maybe just a little desperate for something that neither of us want to name.
Ben-my best friend in the whole world-is holding my hand.

Sigh. I’m biased. So so sooo biased…except I’m not. Every time I go to pick up another Lauren Layne novel, I get extremely nervous. I’ve even gotten to the point where I don’t even read them as soon as I get the ARC (‘cuz you know I’m a stalker for that shit) because I am excruciatingly nervous that ‘this book will be the LL book that doesn’t do it for me.’ Imagine that-My favorite author writing a book that doesn’t make me swoon or giggle or cry. That would surely be the end of me. So, while this book sounded EXACTLY like what I needed, I didn’t rush to read it right away when I received it. I’m weird like that. But, when my two great buddies asked me to read this with them, I literally couldn’t say no. I mean, I can’t say no to an LL book, right? They picked it up and were so excited….but lo and behold, guess who came out of this one with the largest smile on their face and no regrets?? That would be moi…naturally.

When I saw this was a story about friends with benefits, I knew that it would either go strongly one way or the other: I’d either love it or hate it. I’ve never been huge on friends-to-lovers romance-it’s just not something I seek out. I don’t dislike it, per se, but I mostly enjoy when the people don’t know each other at first. But, from the moment I picked this up, I knew it was a winner. I was laughing, smiling, and had so many feels just from two chapters. The dialogue, AS ALWAYS, was so realistic and on point that I could barely contain my ridiculous urges to bust out laughing. The characters were people that I immediately became obsessed with, which isn’t that easy to do-I’m so picky with my leads. And the story was just extremely…lighthearted and effortless. The most genius thing about Layne’s novels isn’t that her stories are as sweet as cotton candy-it’s that within that fluff there are real emotions and tough situations that never fail to make my heart ache and my eyes to well up. The angst is never over done and there is just enough that you don’t feel like you are reading a snooze-fest of a happy book (Because, come on, admit it-books with zero angst these days barely stand a chance-we lubbs the drama). And while my two ~~cynical Sally~~ wonderful wonderful friends found more that aggravated them with the characters and their decisions than joy, I thought it was perfection. But don’t I always?

She’s already moving up the stairs. “Suddenly that D you got in biology is making total sense. You apparently missed the entire section on how hormones work.”
“It just so happens that biology is a specialty of mine,” I call up the stairs.
“Earlier today, you didn’t know what the uterus was,” she calls back.
“I knew,” I mutter.
Mostly.

And here’s what’s funny about that: It’s not like I go in all balls to the wall and say, ‘No matter what, I’m giving this a 5-I mean, it’s Lauren Layne!’ No. I actually am the opposite. I am a fair reviewer and I go in with an open mind for each and every story for each and every author. I don’t play favorites-My mind is strong. But I can’t help what the heart wants.

I feel like Lauren Layne takes thoughts directly from my mind and writes exactly like I would if I had even a little ability to do so. She inserts humor in the most wonderful places to soften harsh blows and….Sigh. Will there ever be a universe where I’m not obsessed with LL? I don’t think that’s possible. Which makes me wonder-I have no idea why 20,000 people don’t jump on this woman’s books immediately upon release. I don’t get it. Certain authors, and I certainly won’t say who, release a book and all of a sudden there isn’t one person on my feed who isn’t reading it-and the sad thing is, I think [some of] these authors don’t have half the heart that Layne does. But that’s just me.

I hold her. I pet her hair. I let her soak my T-shirt with her tears, and supply her with ample tissues to cry into. (She’s not a dainty cryer, this one.)
Whatever the cause, the tears always rip at me a little bit, like there’s this pressure on my chest that I don’t know how to relieve. I mean, all girls’ tears do that.
But Parker’s especially. She’s my girl.

Ben. Oh. Em. Gee. Ben. I didn’t know how I’d feel about my boy at first…but from the minute he held Parker as she bawled uncontrollably, I was hooked. He was mine. I’d totally be his. Even with all of his man-whorish ways, he still always put Parker first-always. Call me a sucker, but Ben Olsen pushed all the right buttons. Best friends from college on, he never let a girl get between him and the person that made him happier than any guy friend could. To sum up?? Ben made my heart flutter and my soul soar…And he really didn’t have to do anything but defend Parker. Man oh man I have problems.

And then there was Parker. A lot of people, from what I can tell, didn’t like Parker and the way she handled many situations. I, on the other hand, felt connected to her. I felt like she was a super realistic character-And I know, I know we all like ‘flawed’ characters and we expect certain behavior, but I don’t think readers really all mean it when they say that. Because, yes, Parker was flawed. She had some issues when it came to making decisions and not being a total hypocrite-she was-but here is the kicker: So am I. A lot of you people might not like me that much if you really knew me, considering I can’t make a decision to save my life. And I am a total hypocrite. What’s good for the goose is certainly not good for the gander, for me, sometimes. I am so bad about that. And I know I’m being a tad extreme comparing myself to this character, but I’m trying to prove a point. Layne’s scenarios are completely realistic, at least to me, because not one of us is perfect. And I know in books we don’t want to read about ourselves, but just look at it from every perspective, ya know?

“There is too a rule about shirts in the kitchen,” I insist. “House rule number fourteen. Speaking of which, where are my house rules?”
“Hard to say,” he says, opening the fridge and glancing at it’s meager offerings before pouring a cup of coffee instead. “But I may have used them to mop up OJ the other day. Or maybe as a coaster for my beer.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh wait, no, I remember. I just plain threw them away the old-fashioned way.”

So…yeah. Another huge win for me. And it’s so shocking to me this isn’t more popular than it is, already, because this might be my absolute favorite by her. But, I say that a lot about her books. That says a lot about this author: No matter how many times I say nothing will ever top one of her books I just read, I always come out at the end of a new book gushing and proclaiming my love for it. So….as I was desperately hiding in the bathroom on my husband’s birthday trying to finish this beautiful, fantastic book, I realized how far I would go to get more Lauren Layne-Making time where there is none (seeing as how I was supposed to be done a half hour prior). So, Lauren, can we please have lunch sometime? I know we’d be the BEST of friends. Seriously. Besties. Call me. 😛

**Quotes are subject to change upon release date**

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Aaaahhhh so it begins-A buddy read with my two favorite cynical NA Sally’s…I shall defend the Lauren Layne name.

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Blurred liiiiiines…

Why yes, yes I do 😛

View all my reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1) by Kasie West

May 22, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1)
by Kasie West
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Knowing the outcome doesn't always make a choice easier...

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through... and who she can’t live without.

He grabs hold of my hips and pulls me forward. “You didn’t fail me tonight. You saved me. I must’ve looked like the biggest idiot.”

I shake my head no, his hands on my hips making my breath come in shallow sips.
“What’s wrong?” He asks.
“You’re confusing me.”
“Really? And here I thought I was making things more clear.”

Phew! Now that all of THAT is out of the way….lol….I feel like I can say what I want to say. Or maybe I’m simply stalling. Hmm. That seems more like me, doesn’t it? It’s not often that I am so confused and conflicted about a story that I go to sleep not knowing what to rate and then wake up and feel the same way. It’s more….was this a 3 star or 4 star quality book? And that is SUCH a hard question for me-Normally it’s easy as breathing.

“When I read, I feel emotion all on my own. Emotion no living person is making me feel…”

On one hand-it’s Kasie West. I mean, come on, there’s not one boy she has created that hasn’t made my heart erupt in the warm fuzzies. And it’s truly a wonderful feeling to finally meet the absolutely adorable Trevor I’ve been hearing about. So, it goes without saying that I loved the writing-as always.

My dad shakes Rowan’s hand. “You guys having a good night?”
Really? My dad is going to analyze Rowan’s answer to a question about enjoyment? I give him the are-you-serious? look and he gives the I-know-I’m-overprotective-but-you-are-my-only-daughter look back. How can I argue with that look?

But then there are all these negatives. These negatives that screamed at me from the moment she split her future in half to decide what was best for her. Fuck knows why I Am. Such. A. Freak. About time travel/fake futures yada yada. I have absolutely zero clue as to why I get so overwhelmingly depressed when it comes to false scenarios and interchangeable events-but I do. And not since All Our Yesterdays have I felt so worried and flighty as I read. You see, I like certainties. I like knowing the sky is blue (most days) and that the grass is green. I love knowing that I love steak, so guess what, I’ll always choose steak, or that chicken fingers, no matter my age, will always be my jam. I like knowing that I have Keaton every day, no matter what, by my side. And I sure as hell like knowing that if I invest time into a certain book scenario…that it well and truly exists. Is that weird? Well…whatever.

So when I realized that this book was split by her two possible futures, it immediately punched me in the gut. Not because it wasn’t well-written-it was. No, it got to me because I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she was falling in love with a guy (or two guys, if you wana get all technical about it), but really wasn’t. She just knew she would-If she chose that path. In fact, she was actually laying on her bed hanging out with her friend Laila.

And how can I fault a book for being exactly what it said it was? What right do I have to say I didn’t like it. It was executed beautifully (in my opinion-Kat may have other ideas- ‘s okay, Kat, you know more than me, anyway lol) and it made me smile when the two worlds would parallel the same event but in different ways. It was just sort of….cool. I liked it. So, see, it wasn’t the book’s fault that it was what it said it was. It’s my fault that I picked it up in the first place, because I just really think I need to add this to my (LONG) list of rules: No time travel or fake reality.

So, now that I got why I felt so negative from the beginning, it’s easier to break it down and say what really worked for me. I clearly wouldn’t let myself connect with anyone because I kept waiting for the inevitable ‘end of the vision’ moment, but when I finally let go, I started to finally devour it. But maybe a lot of that has to do with one certain boy…

“She loves to read, Mom. Like these really old, boring books. The ones Dad likes.” He points to the graphic novel on his desk. “Plus lame ones, like I do. And she’s not a huge football fan. I think she only tolerates it for our sake. She’s supersmart, my main competition in Government. And since coming into my room, she has probably had to stop herself several times from cleaning up the shoes spilling out of my closet.”

Ahhhh Trevor. So flippin’ cute. P.S. That’s another reason I wasn’t happy-I really really really reeeeeeaaaallllyyy wanted more Trevor time, but instead I had to share it with her other path. Bah. Screw her other path (barely refrained from an unnecessary expletive there…)!! I just wanted Trevor time. Sweet, funny, kind, and a total nerd, he was a perfect Kasie West book boy. And while we got very little of him (I think, but that’s a subjective opinion) I still felt the rightness of him down to my core. Oh wait, but maybe those were the barely sustained butterflies that wouldn’t explode until after 60%…

“In the six years I’ve had this ability, nobody has ever asked me that question. Nobody has ever thought they were negotiable.”
He takes a deep breath. “I want you to choose me, Addie,” he whispers. “I want this to be real.”

Now how is that last quote not supposed to rip me to shreds?! Come on. Ugh. So, no, this isn’t my favorite West novel. There was a lot of good and probably more bad, on my radar, but it doesn’t change the amount of feels I received in the end. I’m a sucker for badass endings, and this one was pretty flippin’ awesome. My heart was warm from the beginning, concerning Trevor. But after 60%, I finally got those explosive feelings (both good and bad) I am accustomed to getting when I pick up one of her stories, instead of the lukewarm base I started at. Anyway, I still don’t know if this is the right rating, but for now it will suffice. Please note use of the ‘Blur rating’ shelf. It comes in handy on all these super confusing matters of the heart.

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Buddy read with my Fab-tastic and wonderfully sarcastic Katerina and crazy Mela (whatever that means) 😛

BOOK REVIEW: Lion Heart (Scarlet #3) by A.C. Gaughen

May 20, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Lion Heart (Scarlet #3)
by A.C. Gaughen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The eagerly-awaited conclusion to the Scarlet trilogy delivers another action-packed and romance-filled adventure.

Scarlet has captured the hearts of readers as well as the heart of Robin Hood, and after ceaseless obstacles and countless threats, readers will finally find out the fate of the Lady Thief.

Imprisoned by Prince John for months, Scarlet finds herself a long way from Nottinghamshire. After a daring escape from the Prince's clutches, she learns that King Richard’s life is in jeopardy, and Eleanor of Aquitaine demands a service Scarlet can’t refuse: spy for her and help bring Richard home safe. But fate—and her heart—won’t allow her to stay away from Nottinghamshire for long, and together, Scarlet and Rob must stop Prince John from going through with his dark plans for England. They can not rest until he’s stopped, but will their love be enough to save them once and for all?

***“I’ll never leave you,”* he told me, and I felt his arms on me. *“As long as you love me, I’ll be here, hidden somewhere in your heart.”***

I speak repeatedly of my all time favorite series. They have remained the same three since 2012/2013 and not much has touched them. It probably even gets to the point where people are like, yeah, dude, we get it, stop! But I think it speaks volumes when we can say that no other story touches us after 3 years even after reading, what, 100-120 books a year. Think about that. We meet couple after couple, star-crossed lover after star-crossed lover, see perilous scenarios and heart-breaking stories time and again, and yet those those three stories can’t be touched with a ten foot pole. My point in all this? Nothing has touched my top three favorite series of all time…..except this one. And that, to me, speaks louder than any words could.

What I’m trying to say is that this is now my fourth favorite series of all time. And. That. Is. Huge. You have no idea HOW huge. I don’t give away those spots easily. Something has to really claw into me for those spots to be given away, but my darling Rob and Scar have earned it. From their first tortured story to the final heart-wrenching finale, these two have not had it easy.

“Have you…” I drew a breath, trying to find the words. “When did you last-when did you see him?”
He swallowed. “A few weeks ago.”
I just looked at him.
“He…he would greatly benefit from hearing you’re alive,” he told me.
His careful words stabbed me. “He’s not doing well,” I said.

Book one was the one that got me, if I’m being honest. Actually, the most candid thing I could tell you is that once I finished book one, I was biased beyond compare. I don’t think there could be much that would have knocked this series down a peg. Book two, while so strong, didn’t touch book one-Gisbourne was a bastard who meddled heavily in their relationship, and we didn’t get as much one on one Rob and Scar time. So, naturally, I’d be pissy about that. But it’s more than that. From the moment we met them in book one, they only had eyes for one another…but they sure as hell wouldn’t admit it. Risking their lives to save one another, sacrificing all they had, doing all they could to keep the other alive-Come on, that’s a prime fucking story, guys. Action, conflicted and convoluted feelings, self-loathing, despair, a tortured (And I mean the best kind of tortured) hero, and a non-stop plot, I couldn’t breathe. So, yes, I was hooked from the beginning.

That’s not to say these last two didn’t have strong points, they did, but the first will always hold a very special place deep in my heart-after all, it got me addicted to this series, right?

In this story, Rob and Scar are separated by the hands of Prince John after View Spoiler » I think I had imagined the beginning of this book being different, but by them being apart for a little bit, the love they had for one another grew with each passing page, even as each day became harder than the last. My desperation to see Rob became this obsession, the rumors going around about Scar’s death causing me to panic for dear Rob’s sanity, seeing as he has been through so much and all he wants is her-No matter what. At all costs. He knows, in his heart, that there is no way she’s dead-So, her knowing this, she pulls a Scarlet and tries to make an escape so Little John isn’t lead to Nottingham, where Rob resides as View Spoiler »Sheriff. « Hide Spoiler She knows he would risk life and limb and burn down every town to save her, because his love for her is that strong. But what happens when running only makes things worse?

I pulled away from her.
He will die.
Rob’s face, frozen like View Spoiler »John Little’s « Hide Spoiler, with shock and sudden knowing, like he could see Death creeping toward him over my shoulder.
He will die.
Blood running out of Rob like a swollen spring river gone red.
He will die.
Rob’s blood staining the snow, staining the stones in the courtyard, staining my eyes.

This was a love story through and through. There was a lot of strategizing and tons of destruction, but through it all it was Rob and Scar still fighting and finding a way to ultimately be together. Rob was loyal, self-sacrificing, and perfect in this final installment. He took my breath away with his looks and love for Scar more than once. I was telling a friend yesterday that, yes, no one will ever take my number one BBF spot away, that spot is closed and vacuum sealed, but if these guys were real, and I had to choose one to marry, I really think Rob is that guy. I KNOW. That’s a bold statement coming from ME, but think about it: Heroic, tortured, self-sacrificing, loyal, kind, jealous, protective, and not a supernatural being…though, there’s an argument for those guys, too. And after I said it of course I was like, ‘Wellllll, but what about…’, so I am flighty about that. But, the point is, I said it. I thought it. Rob is a hero first and foremost, but Scarlet is his one and only, and his fierce and undying love and devotion to Scarlet makes it hard to breathe. If the writing isn’t for you in this series, that’s fine, but don’t go through life not meeting my dear, loyal Rob.

I pushed him back with a grin. “Posturing braggart, show-off peacock!” I accused.
“If by that you mean I’m the best damn archer you’ve ever seen and you’d like to reward me with a kiss,” he said, drawing me back to him. “Then I accept. And yes, I will continue to give you generous lessons to achieve my epic-nay, legendary-skill.”

The writing ~~were~~ was the same as always with it’s fun (though, in book one it took some getting used to, I thought it was a typo!) substitutions of ‘were’ instead of ‘was’ with a quick pace and vivid imagery. After I became accustomed to the style of speak in book one, I really came to adore Gaughen’s writing. It is addicting and flows seamlessly from page to page, making this an uputdownable page turner. So, while this style is a shock at first, it immediately becomes addicting in a way you would never imagine. I wouldn’t pass this one up because of that, but who am I to say? I already told you I’m horribly biased.

Even as the words left my mouth, they didn’t feel true. Rob’s and my love had always been made in the cracks, the jagged little edges that came from the ruin of something else. It were a place that weren’t supposed to be filled with love, but that’s how it had always been. Our love filled the broken bits and made us whole again. There weren’t no perfect time to love him, not ever, and it had always been with the threat of death and hurt hovering around us. And we’d love each other anyway. Sure, and true.

So, while this was my least favorite of the series, it still brought tears to my eyes and I gasped more than once. I still got butterflies every other page and the book was like a night-light from all the highlights (Cough, I highlighted most full pages in a rainbow of colors, cough) I used on my IPad. Just because I preferred the first two in no way lessens my affections for this book as a whole, it just had a lot to live up to. Scarlet was still Scarlet, doubting herself and putting the good of the people ahead of herself, and Rob was still Rob, self-sacrificing and all for Scarlet and starting their life together. I adored Much, just as I have from the beginning, and I was obsessed with his role in this final story. And I missed a certain character so much it hurt, and I didn’t realize I would until he/she was gone, forever snuffed from existence. So, I could keep going on and on and on even as I’ve lost many of you one paragraph three (Most likely earlier, but shut up, it’s my send-off to Rob), but that would be redundant. I love this series with my whole heart, and I am about to cry even as I think about posting this review, because I will never read a new story about Rob and Scar again….And I don’t want to say goodbye to all of these wonderful characters. But there’s one thing I’ll never stop doing: Re-reading this wonderful series from beginning to end, forever looping and repeating the moments where Rob and Scar realized they loved one another and risked it all to be together. That sounds like heaven to me.

Nuzzling against his head, I whispered to him, “This is freedom, Rob.”
Using our twined hands to tuck our arms close around my body, he murmured into my hair, “You were always my freedom, Scar.”

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Scarlet #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea Anna	Lady Thief #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Lion Heart #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

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Let me express my displeasure of having to wait….in Sailor Moon GIFs. Girl’s got some super canny facial expressions.

*Cue the lights*

That’s the end of book 2??

Hmph. Okay, I’ll just pick up book three-

WHAT?! 2015!!!!!????!!!!!!

You have GOT to be kidding me

Denial.

Yeah that’s cool. I’m fine….I’ll just sit over here and wait.

Seriously. I’m fine. Catcha later, Rob.

*And scene*

BOOK REVIEW – Hidden Huntress (The Malediction Trilogy #2) by Danielle L. Jensen

May 20, 2015 / Jen / 0 Comments

Hidden Huntress (The Malediction Trilogy #2)
by Danielle L. Jensen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Beneath the mountain, the king's reign of tyranny is absolute; the one troll with the capacity to challenge him is imprisoned for treason. Cecile has escaped the darkness of Trollus, but she learns all too quickly that she is not beyond the reach of the king's power. Or his manipulation.

Recovered from her injuries, she now lives with her mother in Trianon and graces the opera stage every night. But by day she searches for the witch who has eluded the trolls for five hundred years. Whether she succeeds or fails, the costs to those she cares about will be high.

To find Anushka, she must delve into magic that is both dark and deadly. But the witch is a clever creature. And Cecile might not just be the hunter. She might also be the hunted.

Review:

***I did NOT like the final book in this series. It was missing everything that I had previously fallen in love with. And that’s not even the worst part. Worst of all was that ending. That ending left me completely unsatisfied and utterly depressed. You can see my review of Warrior Witch here – Warrior Witch: 1/5 Stars***

*Spoilers for Stolen Songbird*
Hidden Huntress was mysteriously intriguing, and it was entertaining trying to unravel the questions that surrounded Tristan and Cecile. There is so much more at stake, and it felt as though their trials were insurmountable. But at times, I found myself distracted. Because honestly, I was desperately racking my head as each page passed trying to figure out how in the world they were going to find their way back together again. While I whole-heartily love Tristan ad Cecile separately, I desperately missed their chemistry. The way they were capable of making my heart clench and then become elated on a single page, sigh. Together they were intoxicating. So while I struggled in the middle of the book, I was without a doubt happy to be drawn back into their world!

Upon escaping from Trollus and healing, Cecile has taken residence with her mother in Trianon. By night she performs and by day she hunts for the witch who has cursed the trolls. While she knew it would be a near impossible search, what she doesn’t count on is that she is still within the grasp of the King. And his incessant need to be freed from Trollus. But Tristan isn’t able to protect or help her, because he is being held captive within his own city that he was once destined to rule. With their lives continually piling up with obstacles, how can they ever start to dig themselves out?

Even though situations were changed, Tristan and Cecile still contained all of the same attributes that made me love them in Stolen Songbird. Cecile was still daring and brave. The decisions she had to make were difficult and at times selfless. And I love that no matter how hard or dark times got, she still pushed ahead. She still searched and never gave up trying to find a way to be with Tristan again. I was rooting for her on every single page!

Oh, and Tristan, how I love you! This time we got to be in his head so much more! His thoughts, agony and suffering were ours to behold. Nothing was held back and we got to understand every single tiny part of him. How he wanted to be a better person, err troll, for not only Cecile but everyone else in Trollus that is counting on him. I did miss his witty, sarcastic side, but circumstances definitely wouldn’t have allowed that to happen.

So yeah, I did struggle in the middle. I started to ache for Tristan and Cecile to be back together again because I desperately needed their chemistry to be on the pages I was reading. Yes I know that I am being whiny but my goodness, the way they were written in Stolen Songbird together was phenomenal. It was impossible not to miss that feature while starting this book. But, and this is a big but….the characters are strong enough to stand on their own and the mystery was still a lot of fun! Ohhhhh, and the way this book ends?!?! It looks as though we will get to experience the peril that elated yet terrified me in Stolen Songbird! I am counting down until the final book is released next year! I. Can’t. Wait!

*ARC kindly provided by Angry Robot Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Stolen Songbird #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea Anna	Hidden Huntress #2 Reviews: Jen	Hidden Huntress #3 Reviews: Jen

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Category: Review (Page 226 of 295)

BOOK REVIEW – Beautiful Broken Rules (Broken #1) by Kimberly Lauren

Synopsis:

Review:

“Please stop running from me,” he whispered.
“Please stop trying to catch me,” I said, getting up to leave.

“I don’t need a protector, okay?” I breathed.
“I’m trying my fucking hardest here, Beautiful.”

BOOK REVIEW: Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne

Synopsis:

We begin walking, and the tension seems to fade, and I think we’re back to normal. Back to where we should be.

But then…
Ben slowly reaches out a hand toward me, and I’m confused right up until the moment his fingers brush mine.
The gesture is tentative. Sweet. And maybe just a little desperate for something that neither of us want to name.
Ben-my best friend in the whole world-is holding my hand.

BOOK REVIEW: Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1) by Kasie West

Synopsis:

He grabs hold of my hips and pulls me forward. “You didn’t fail me tonight. You saved me. I must’ve looked like the biggest idiot.”

I shake my head no, his hands on my hips making my breath come in shallow sips.
“What’s wrong?” He asks.
“You’re confusing me.”
“Really? And here I thought I was making things more clear.”

“When I read, I feel emotion all on my own. Emotion no living person is making me feel…”

“In the six years I’ve had this ability, nobody has ever asked me that question. Nobody has ever thought they were negotiable.”
He takes a deep breath. “I want you to choose me, Addie,” he whispers. “I want this to be real.”

BOOK REVIEW: Lion Heart (Scarlet #3) by A.C. Gaughen

Synopsis:

***“I’ll never leave you,”* he told me, and I felt his arms on me. *“As long as you love me, I’ll be here, hidden somewhere in your heart.”***

Nuzzling against his head, I whispered to him, “This is freedom, Rob.”
Using our twined hands to tuck our arms close around my body, he murmured into my hair, “You were always my freedom, Scar.”

BOOK REVIEW – Hidden Huntress (The Malediction Trilogy #2) by Danielle L. Jensen

Synopsis:

Review:

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BOOK REVIEW – Beautiful Broken Rules (Broken #1) by Kimberly Lauren

Synopsis:

Review:

“Please stop running from me,” he whispered. “Please stop trying to catch me,” I said, getting up to leave.

“I don’t need a protector, okay?” I breathed. “I’m trying my fucking hardest here, Beautiful.”

Share this:

BOOK REVIEW: Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne

Synopsis:

We begin walking, and the tension seems to fade, and I think we’re back to normal. Back to where we should be.

But then… Ben slowly reaches out a hand toward me, and I’m confused right up until the moment his fingers brush mine. The gesture is tentative. Sweet. And maybe just a little desperate for something that neither of us want to name. Ben-my best friend in the whole world-is holding my hand.

Share this:

BOOK REVIEW: Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1) by Kasie West

Synopsis:

He grabs hold of my hips and pulls me forward. “You didn’t fail me tonight. You saved me. I must’ve looked like the biggest idiot.”

I shake my head no, his hands on my hips making my breath come in shallow sips. “What’s wrong?” He asks. “You’re confusing me.” “Really? And here I thought I was making things more clear.”

“When I read, I feel emotion all on my own. Emotion no living person is making me feel…”

“In the six years I’ve had this ability, nobody has ever asked me that question. Nobody has ever thought they were negotiable.” He takes a deep breath. “I want you to choose me, Addie,” he whispers. “I want this to be real.”

Share this:

BOOK REVIEW: Lion Heart (Scarlet #3) by A.C. Gaughen

Synopsis:

“I’ll never leave you,” he told me, and I felt his arms on me. “As long as you love me, I’ll be here, hidden somewhere in your heart.”

Nuzzling against his head, I whispered to him, “This is freedom, Rob.” Using our twined hands to tuck our arms close around my body, he murmured into my hair, “You were always my freedom, Scar.”

Share this:

BOOK REVIEW – Hidden Huntress (The Malediction Trilogy #2) by Danielle L. Jensen

Synopsis:

Review:

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Jen’s Currently Reading

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Search:

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“Please stop running from me,” he whispered.
“Please stop trying to catch me,” I said, getting up to leave.

“I don’t need a protector, okay?” I breathed.
“I’m trying my fucking hardest here, Beautiful.”

But then…
Ben slowly reaches out a hand toward me, and I’m confused right up until the moment his fingers brush mine.
The gesture is tentative. Sweet. And maybe just a little desperate for something that neither of us want to name.
Ben-my best friend in the whole world-is holding my hand.

I shake my head no, his hands on my hips making my breath come in shallow sips.
“What’s wrong?” He asks.
“You’re confusing me.”
“Really? And here I thought I was making things more clear.”

“In the six years I’ve had this ability, nobody has ever asked me that question. Nobody has ever thought they were negotiable.”
He takes a deep breath. “I want you to choose me, Addie,” he whispers. “I want this to be real.”

***“I’ll never leave you,”* he told me, and I felt his arms on me. *“As long as you love me, I’ll be here, hidden somewhere in your heart.”***

Nuzzling against his head, I whispered to him, “This is freedom, Rob.”
Using our twined hands to tuck our arms close around my body, he murmured into my hair, “You were always my freedom, Scar.”